Pet Grooming Orange County

Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

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Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

Fleas are tiny insects that live on the fur and skin of animals. Fleas feed off blood and their bites can cause intense itching and discomfort. Over time, animals can develop an allergic reaction to fleas. At the very least, fleas are a nuisance and can be extremely difficult to get rid of.

Treatment involves treating the pet as well as their environment. Fleas can hide in grass, carpeting, bedding, furniture, and other areas. These pests lie dormant, waiting for a host where they can feed and lay their eggs.

The Problem With Fleas

Fleas can feed off any animal, even humans. Their bites can cause itchy bumps on the skin, typically in runs as they hop, bite, hop, bite, etc. Affected pets may lick or scratch incessantly, causing fur loss, sores, and even infections to develop.

When your pet has fleas, you’ll likely do whatever it takes to ease their discomfort. There are several flea products available for this purpose. It’s important to note, that not all flea treatments are created equal.

Over time, fleas can become resistant to certain chemicals, making them ineffective. Products such as Advantage and Frontline are no longer able to effectively eliminate or prevent fleas.

Popular Flea Treatments

Over the counter treatments such as flea collars, spot treatments, flea dips, and shampoos have been known to cause serious, life-threatening reactions in pets. These products should never be used.

Newer treatment options available through your vet have been proven to be both safe and effective for moderate to severe flea infestations. Comfortis is one such treatment. These chewable tablets are given monthly and begin working immediately to kill fleas and prevent re-infestation.

Natural Flea Treatments

More and more people today are turning towards more natural options for themselves and their pets. A quick Internet search will provide you with several “natural” flea treatments. It’s extremely important to keep in mind that natural does not necessarily mean safe. Several natural remedies are toxic for pets and can cause serious reactions. Always check with your veterinarian before applying anything to your pet’s skin or fur.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a safe, effective option for mild to moderate flea infestations. This powder can be applied to carpets, floors, bedding, furniture, and pets. Although DE is non-toxic, it can cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

If you are considering trying this method, it’s crucial that you use only pet-safe Diatomaceous Earth. Do not ever use “pool grade”.

Essential Oils

Many natural treatments involve the use of essential oils. These oils can be toxic and should never be used around pets, especially cats.

Claws N Paws Day Spa recommends the use of Comfortis. We also offer Seresto collars, another safe and effective treatment for fleas. Please check with your veterinarian for additional advice.

 

 

Canned Food VS Dry food – What’s Better for Your Cat?

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Canned Food VS Dry food – What’s Better for Your Cat?

Walk into any pet store and you’ll likely see a large selection of cat food to choose from. Everything from canned to dry and even vegetarian and powdered options exist. With so many choices, choosing the right diet for your cat can seem like a daunting task.

While most people automatically choose the brands they recognize or the cheapest option, it’s crucial that you put some thought and research into this decision. After all, the food you choose can have a major impact on your cat’s health, well-being, and behavior. A well-planned diet can extend your cat’s lifespan and help them avoid several painful, costly, and life-threatening diseases.

Canned Food VS Dry Food

Many nutrition-savvy veterinarians and internists now recommend cat parents feed canned food instead of dry. This is due to the fact that the water content in dry kibble is far too low. Dry food is also high in carbohydrates and loaded with plant-based protein as opposed to animal-based. This is not ideal, as cats are strictly carnivores.

Dry food is heavily processed, which reduces the amount and quality of nutrients in the food. Dry food is often stored on the shelf for long periods of time. This encourages the growth of bacteria and other harmful substances. In fact, dry food frequently contains bacteria, fungal mycotoxins as well as mites and cockroaches.

Increasing Water Consumption

Water is extremely important to a cat’s health. Consuming large amounts of water reduces the chance of kidney and bladder disease. Cats consuming dry food take in approximately half the amount of water as cats fed a canned food diet.

Canned food contains around 78% water while dry food contains only 5 to 10% water. A cat’s natural diet contains approximately 70-75% water. This makes canned food the closest match to a cat’s natural diet.

Orange County Pet Grooming

Claws N Paws Day Spa cares about the health a safety of your cat. If you are concerned about your cat’s nutrition, it’s important to do your own research and speak to a qualified veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers cat grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set-up a grooming appointment.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

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Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip dysplasia is extremely common, affecting mostly large breeds of dogs. When a dog has hip dysplasia, the ball and socket of the hip are malformed. This creates a joint that rubs and grinds as apposed to sliding smoothly.

Causes of Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Signs of the disease can be seen in pets as young as four months old. Hip dysplasia that occurs later in life is typically due to osteoarthritis, a form of joint inflammation.

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

Dogs with hip dysplasia often experience decreased activity, difficulty rising, an obvious reluctance to run, jump or climb, limpness of the hind limbs which is typically worse after exercise, pain in the hip joints, and loss of muscle mass in the thighs. Dogs that are suffering from hip dysplasia might sway or bunny-hop.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Only a qualified veterinarian can diagnose hip dysplasia. A physical exam, blood test, and x-rays are generally necessary. It’s important to provide your veterinarian with a detailed history of your dog’s condition including the date that symptoms began and whether injury occurred prior to their onset.

Treatment is generally outpatient unless surgery is required. Weight control is extremely important. Any excess weight can put additional pressure on your pet’s joints. Your veterinarian might prescribe a special diet, as well as anti-inflammatory and pain medications.

Hip dysplasia can be extremely painful. It’s crucial that you do all that you can to reduce your dog’s discomfort.

Grooming Dogs With Hip Dysplasia

Grooming can be difficult for pets with hip dysplasia. Moving in and out of a raised tub and on and off a grooming table might be more than these pets can handle.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, we understand the unique needs of dogs with hip dysplasia. We have low tubs and are able to bathe and groom dogs on the floor if we feel it is best for their comfort and safety.

Our professional groomers truly care about your pet. If you are concerned about having your pet groomed because of their hip dysplasia or other needs, please stop by our Orange County grooming shop to see how we can help.

Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment.

 

 

 

Fun Places to Visit With Your Dog This Spring

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Fun Places to Visit With Your Dog This Spring

Spring is officially here in Southern California. This means warmer weather and longer days. It also means spending more time outdoors with your dog. Be sure to check out the following dog-friendly spots this spring:

Dog Beach

In case you weren’t already aware, dog beach is located in Huntington Beach. This beach allows you to enjoy the surf with your pet. Your dog is sure to enjoy digging in the sand and playing in the water. Although dogs are allowed at dog beach, it’s still a good idea to bring a leash. Not every dog that visits is used to being around other dogs. It’s also important to remember to clean up after your pet.

Mile Square Park

Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley features lots of trails to explore. You and your dog are sure to enjoy seeing turtles, geese, ducks, and other dogs. There’s plenty of room to throw Frisbees and play catch. This is a large park with lots to do. Take a picnic lunch and make a day out of it.

Park Bench Café

The Park Bench Café is located in Huntington Central Park. This dog-friendly café offers plenty of treats for you and your furry friend.

Fashion Island

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, make sure you bring your dog to Fashion Island in Newport Beach. This dog-friendly mall features a number of shops to explore. Most of the shops allow you to bring your dog in on a leash, and a few even have doggie mascots of their own.

Costa Mesa Bark Park

The Costa Mesa Bark Park offers dogs plenty of room to run, play, and meet other dogs. This provides the perfect opportunity to let your dog roam free while you meet other like-minded pet parents in the area.

After exploring Orange County with your dog, make sure that you stop by Claws N Paws Day Spa for a bath. We can help rid your pet of that pesky sand from dog beach or dirt buildup from playing at the park. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

 

Recognizing and Treating Ear Infections in Dogs

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Recognizing and Treating Ear Infections in Dogs

Regular ear care is extremely important for dogs of all ages. Cleaning your dog’s ears helps keep them free from debris and helps you spot ear infections sooner. Regular cleaning also helps prevent infections from happening in the first place.

Causes of Ear Infection

Ear infections are common. They are caused by buildup of yeast and bacteria in the ear canal. They can also be caused from water trapped in the ears. This is why regular cleaning, especially after swimming and bathing, is important. Cleaning the ears helps remove wax buildup, yeast, dirt and bacteria from the ears. It also helps dry any water that is left after swimming.

Ear Infection Symptoms

Spotting an ear infection can be tricky. Dogs cannot tell us when their ears are bothering them. It’s important to look for any changes in behavior. Excessive head shaking or ear scratching are possible signs of a problem. Foul smelling ears typically indicate an infection. Your dog’s ears might also become red, swollen and sensitive to the touch.

If your dog exhibits any or all of these symptoms, it’s crucial that you contact your vet. Ear infections are painful and can become worse over time.

Treating Ear Infections

A quick trip to the vet can help you determine whether or not your dog is suffering from an ear infection. Veterinarians often use a swab to test to determine the exact cause of the infection. This is a quick and easy procedure.

Depending on the severity and cause of the infection, you might be given eardrops, oral antibiotics or medicated ear wash. Sometimes, all of these treatments are prescribed at the same time. It’s crucial that you follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and use all of the medication prescribed for your pet. Stopping a medication too early can cause the infection to come back.

Preventing Ear Infections

Although some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others, regular ear cleaning can help prevent infections from returning. This also helps you spot the signs of an ear infection early, when they are easier to treat.

Claws N Paws Day Spa can help keep your dogs ears clean. Ear cleaning is included in our basic groom and bath service. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment for your dog.

 

 

Creating a Pet Trust

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Creating a Pet Trust

Our pets bring us so much joy. They provide us with unconditional love and are always there to cheer us up. Most people would do everything in their power to keep their pet safe. However, many pet owners never consider what would happen to their pet if they were no longer able to care for them.

No matter how well behaved and trained your pet is, it will never be able to care for itself. In the event of your death, someone will need to keep your pet safe.

Protect Your Pet With a Pet Trust

Unfortunately, the pets of deceased owners are often sent to the shelter, or worse. It’s crucial that you take the necessary steps to ensure your pet avoids this fate. A Pet Trust allows you to leave money for your pet and assign a guardian to care for them.

When setting up a Pet Trust, you’ll need to designate a trustee. This is the individual who will be in charge of the finances you leave for your pet. You will also need to assign a beneficiary. This is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day care of your pet.

Your selected guardians will be responsible for both your pet and the money you leave for them. You need to be extremely careful when choosing these individuals. Always ask their permission before naming any guardians in your trust. It’s a good idea to have alternatives in place just in case your first choice in unavailable.

It’s common to choose guardians that are close to you and your pet. If you have several pets, you might want to assign different guardians for different pets.

Leaving Money for Your Pet

When determining how much money to leave for your pet, you’ll need to consider how much money it will cost to care for your pet until the end of its life. This figure should include medical care and other expenses. It’s a good idea to include stipends for both the guardian and the trustee.

Always include specific details about your pet on your Pet Trust. Include your pet’s name, breed and identifying marks. Your pet’s microchip number should also be included if applicable. This helps prevent fraud and protect your pet.

For more information about Pet Trusts, please call 714-962-1005.